Ladlad: 22 LGBT members in police force

by Maria Aleta Nieva Nishimori, ABS-CBNnews.com

MANILA, Philippines - Twenty-two officers in the Philippine National Police are LGBT members, Ang Ladlad national chairperson Bemz Benedito said on Friday.

“Sa mga bakla, mayroon tayong miyembrong 14 ngayon tapos sa mga lesbiyana may mga 8 tayo,” said Bendito, a transgender. The group believes there are more LGBTs in the PNP, but they have not revealed themselves.

Benedito said that among the 22, the highest ranking LGBT member in the police force is a colonel.

Almost all have not declared their true sexual orientation publicly for fear of being discriminated against.